An oil cleanser should take off the makeup and then leave with the water. A slick that hangs around is just another product to remove.
We used plant oils on waterproof mascara and then rinsed. The good ones clouded when they met water and rinsed off without a film you could still feel at the jaw.
The rinse
Emulsifiers are what turn the oil milky and let it go. Without them you are oiling your face and hoping a cloth does the rest. With too many, the cleanser can strip the skin you were trying to be gentle with.
- It should turn milky as soon as you add water.
- Mascara should soften without you scrubbing the lash line.
- The skin should feel clean, not tight and not slippery.
- No fragrance if you use it around the eyes.
If you need a second cleanser to remove the first, the first did not emulsify.
At the sink
Dry hands, dry face, then oil, then water. Adding it to a wet face from the start keeps it from reaching the makeup. Rinse longer than you think, especially at the hairline.
Keep a cloth nearby for mascara, and judge the cleanser by how your skin feels ten minutes later.
